Muslim Council of Britain Weekly E-Newsletter 11 Shawwal 1424 AH, Friday 5 December 2003 Weekly Updates on Reports, Committees and Events: Issue 49 Reports and Events - Eid Mubarak - Istanbul bombings condemned - MacShane attempts to repair damage - MCB presses Attorney General on detainees - MCB Seeks explanation for scholar's Heathrow detention - New Employment Regulations relating to Religious Discrimination - Stasi consults the MCB - History of Punishment - Tate Gallery - Khidmah Book Launch - Mayor's 'Respect' Conference - Radio Australia Interview - Analysis of post war Iraq - Islamophobia Report - MCB's Leadership Programme Lectures - GLA Eid Reception - London Conference - “Respect not Racism” Week - Government Officials Urged To Refrain From Prejudicing Any Future Sajid Badat Trial - MCB explores Islamic astronomy programme - International Symposium on Cultural Diversity Affiliate News - HRF Establishes New Offices in Mozambique and Azerbaijan
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Muslim Council of Britain Weekly E-Newsletter 11 Shawwal 1424 AH, Friday 5 December 2003
Weekly Updates on Reports, Committees and Events: Issue 49
Reports and Events
- Eid Mubarak
- Istanbul bombings condemned
- MacShane attempts to repair damage
- MCB presses Attorney General on detainees
- MCB Seeks explanation for scholar's Heathrow
detention
- New Employment Regulations relating to
Religious Discrimination
- Stasi consults the MCB
- History of Punishment
- Tate Gallery
- Khidmah Book Launch
- Mayor's 'Respect' Conference
- Radio Australia Interview
- Analysis of post war Iraq
- Islamophobia Report
- MCB's Leadership Programme Lectures
- GLA Eid Reception
- London Conference
- “Respect not Racism” Week
- Government Officials Urged To Refrain From
Prejudicing Any Future Sajid Badat Trial
- MCB explores Islamic astronomy programme
- International Symposium on Cultural Diversity
Affiliate News
- HRF Establishes New Offices in Mozambique
and Azerbaijan
- Interpal Launches its 10th year Anniversary
Celebrations
- Islam Awareness Week
- Public protest on Middle East situation
- Nasheed Extravaganza Tour 2003
- Muslim Youth Helpline Launches Extended
Freephone Service
- "Islam's Contribution to Western Civilisation"
Committees Update
- Media Committee (MC)
- Research & Documentation Committee
(ReDoc)
- Education, Training & Employement Committee
(ETEC)
- Social Affairs Committee (SAC)
- Health & Medical Committee (HMC)
New on the MCB Website
New on the MCBDirect Website
Events
Reports and Events
Eid Mubarak
The Muslim community celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday 25 November. Eid Mubarak and Taqabbal
Allahu minnaa wa minkum. In an Eid-ul-Fitr message from the Secretary General of the MCB, Iqbal
Sacranie notes that " It is in our own growth that future generations take shape. And it is our own
philosophy that challenges and stirs us afresh to work together for a more just and peaceful world. A
challenge that is achievable only through our unpretentious faith in God. It is on this day - the day of
Eid - that we celebrate the culmination of a month of devotion, sacrifice and sharing with others in the
hope that Ramadan has inscribed in our spirits as human beings precepts that will strengthen our
efforts to that end. I pray that by the grace of God we may be able to rise to the task of promoting
peace in our isles and beyond our shores."
Istanbul bombings condemned
The MCB condemns the twin bombings in Istanbul on 20 November which has killed at least 27
people including the British Consul-General, Roger Short, and injured over 400 people. The MCB
press release issued on 21 November states that "Our thoughts are with families of all the victims of
this atrocity, including our fellow British citizens" and calls for the root causes behind the dreadful
phenomenon of terrorism to be addressed.
MacShane attempts to repair damage
In press releases issued on 22 and 29 November, the Muslim Council of Britain called on Foreign
Office Minister Denis MacShane MP to make a full and public apology to the British Muslim community
for his deeply offensive and insulting remarks last week to his constituency party in which he called on
British Muslims to choose between the "British way" of political dialogue and non-violence and the
"way of the terrorists".
“The widespread feeling of hurt and anger among British Muslims has not abated and is not going to
be abated until Mr MacShane admits he was wrong to imply that British Muslims sympathised with
terrorist actions. British Muslims have consistently condemned all forms of terrorism and indiscriminate
slaughter, whether perpetrated by individuals, groups or states,” said Mr Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-
General of the MCB.
In response, Mr Denis MacShane MP has expressed his regrets in the Sheffield Star “The huge
success of the European Union including for the 15 million European Muslims is that we have replaced
the politics of violence by the politics of rule-of-law, respect for human rights, and democratic non-
violent means of achieving political change. I sought to make some of these points in the political
report I give each month to my Labour Party colleagues in Rotherham Labour Party. But these
comments were over-shadowed by other remarks I made. In that report, I acknowledged that the
Muslim community and their local and national representatives were as appalled as any other at the
terrible terrorists atrocity in Istanbul ten days ago. However, I accept that I could have chosen some of
my words more carefully, and I apologise to anyone who felt that I suggested that British Muslims
sympathise with such terrorist actions. That was certainly not my intent.”
For the full press release and MacShane’s response please refer to www.mcb.org.uk
MCB presses Attorney General on detainees
The MCB met with the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith in September, prior to his visit to the US, and
called on him to secure the return of Muslim detainees to the UK to face any possible legal action. The
MCB again wrote to Lord Goldsmith in November calling for action to ensure the process of law is
upheld. The AG has now written back, stating the Government's intention was to ensure that "the
detainees should be returned to the UK" if it is not satisfied of a fair trial by the US authorities. The
correspondence is online at http://www.mcb.org.uk/akm.pdf
MCB Seeks explanation for scholar's Heathrow detention
The MCB has expressed its outrage at the police harassment of an eminent Islamic scholar on
Tuesday 11 November 2003 when Shaykh Yusuf Motala, former Rector of Islamic seminary in Bury,
Lancashire and one of the most highly respected religious leaders, was travelling to the Holy city of
Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He was detained and questioned by police at Heathrow Airport for almost
seven hours causing him to miss his Ramadan pilgrimage. Neither the Police nor the Home Office
have provided an explanation.
The MCB has sent a letter to the Home Secretary demanding an explanation for this unacceptable
behaviour, noting “There is a very real concern that Muslims are now being singled out for profiling
and discrimination in the name of fighting terrorism.” The letter calls for the implementation of a
consultative procedure in order to avoid misunderstanding and distress and bring in more efficiency in
dealing with the crime of terrorism. The MCB press release of 15 November points out that this case is
just one of many that highlights the greatly increased level of suspicion and prejudice that British
Muslims now have to encounter almost every day. It is not only demeaning to the community but
is eroding their trust in the police and security agencies.
New Employment Regulations relating to Religious Discrimination
The MCB, in collaboration with its affiliate Muslim Directory, The Muslim News and the British Muslim
Research Centre with support from the Department of Trade & Industry has initiated a project to
increase awareness in the community of the new Employment Regulations relating to Religious
Discrimination that have come into force on 2 December. Briefing sessions are being organised for
Muslim employees and employers, commencing with Bradford on 11 December between 10.30 am -
12.30. The venue will be Thornbury Centre, Leeds Old Road, Thornbury, Bradford BD3 8JX.. For
On Saturday 8 November, MCB affiliates the Islamic Society of Britain and Young Muslims UK
organised an Islam Awareness Week 2003 Conference in London. Guest speakers included Prof.
Salim Al-Hassani, Irma Hussain, Sarah Joseph, Dr Munir Ahmed, Baroness Pola Manzila Uddin and
others.
Committees Update
Media Committee (MC) Article in The Times Inayat Bunglawala, Secretary of the MCB Media Committee wrote an article for the Times published on 1
November 2003 on the subject of the month of Ramadan entitled “Ramadan tells us that
abstinence makes the heart grow better”. He describes the month of fasting as an exercise which “creates a sense of global unity, a potent reminder to Muslims of their constituting a single faith community ..With the passing of each successive Ramadan the Muslim character ought to develop, mature and enhance.” Inayat traces the precepts and historic roots of fasting from the old and new Testament to the Qur’an and traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). For the full article please refer to media/articles section at www.mcb.org.uk Letter to the Guardian The Secretary of the Media Committee wrote to the Reader’s Editor at the Guardian on 23 October requesting a suitable correction, having noted that the leader column referred to Sudan’s “Christian
South”. This statement is factually incorrect as the majority the southern population practice animism. Accordingly, on Friday 24 October the Guardian published the following statement: “In pointing to the Christians in the south of Sudan as one of the reasons the Bush administration has shown an unexpected interest in the affairs of the country, we may have unintentionally given the impression that Christians are in the majority in the secessionist area (Southern comforter, page 27, yesterday). The population of Sudan comprises: Sunni Muslim 70% (in the north); Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum); other non-Muslim and non-Christian beliefs 25%.” Letter to the BBC The Secretary of the Media Committee, Inayat Bunglawala wrote to Stephen Whittle, BBC Controller of Editorial Policy, on 25 November regarding an item on the PM programme on Radio 4 aired on 24 November about the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon and his interview to EUpolitix.com. Sharon voiced the opinion that Europe's Muslim population is 'endangering the life of the Jewish community'. In a subsequent interview with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK he makes a number of allegations concerning the manner in which Muslims incited to hate Jews. These remarks were allowed to pass unchallenged and there was no input from any Muslims to provide a semblance of balance. In response, Peter Rippon, Editor of PM advised that “BBC guidelines rightly require us to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and fairness. However, they do not require us to broadcast the views of all sides of a debate every time we report an element of it.” Furthermore he asserts that “Ariel Sharon's comments were newsworthy and controversial. His was critical of European Union governments, of the general public in Europe as well as of Muslim groups. The best way to test and explore his arguments was to conduct a challenging interview with a diplomat from his own government in Europe.” To this, Inayat Bunglawala responded that “while I appreciate the BBC's argument that they may at times want to test just one side of an argument, in this case, the Israeli PM's remarks were so incendiary against another community that it seems to me inexplicable and a disservice to your listeners that a representative of the Muslim community was not invited to comment on his views.” Mr Whittle responded to this saying “the most effective approach to impartiality or indeed to testing the arguments is not always to involve a third party where the presenter is pushing the points in a challenging way. We also have to beware of believing that our audiences are incapable of making their own judgements based on what they hear.” A meeting is being arranged to discuss this and other BBC editorial policies with the MCB. Letter to Daily Telegraph The Secretary of the Media Committee responded to an article by Barbara Amiel in the Daily Telegraph which was published on 24 November. In his response, Mr Bunglawala points out the outright untruths in her article to which refers to the 29 September 2001 MCB statement from Imams and ‘Ulama as 'no condemnation of September 11 at all’ by ‘condemning the bombing of al-Qa'eda and the Taliban in Afghanistan equally and in the same terms’. This latter statement is an invention of Ms Amiel’s - the war against Afghanistan had not even begun at that time. In contrast no record is held in any of the back issues of the Daily Telegraph expressing Mrs Amiel’s sympathy for the victims or their families. An edited version of Inayat's response was printed in the Daily Telegraph on 27 November. The full letter is available online at http://www.mcb.org.uk/letter56.html. Letter to the Daily Mail The Secretary of the Media Committee wrote to the Editor of the Daily Mail on 25 November 2003 in response to an article by Melanie Phillips in which she asserts that 'clerics have hijacked mosques up and down the country to incite young Muslims to hate the west and even recruit them to terrorism,' without offering up any evidence in proof of this statement. For the full response please refer to the media/Letters to Editor section at http://www.mcb.org.uk/letter55.html Interview for BBC The Secretary of the Media Committee gave an interview on the subject of “honour” killings. This can be found online at the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3150142.stm
Research & Documentation Committee (ReDoc) Translations of the Qur'an The MCB's Research & Documentation Committee (ReDoc) and Health and Medical Committee (HMC) have collaborated in the provision of translations of the Qur'an to hospital chaplaincies for use by patients. A box of 18 Qur'ans has been provided to Watford General Hospital. Further copies are available from ReDoc for this purpose. Radio Interviews Professor Aziz Sheikh, Chair of ReDoc, appeared on East London Ramadan Radio on Thursday 11 Nov discussing the ethics of organ transplantation. Professor Sheikh also participated in a radio panel discussion on Wednesday 29 October on Glasgow's Ramadan Radio on the subject of Islamophobia. Ramadan Timetable ReDoc provided Ramadan timings to The Guardian which were published daily. MCBDirect Update MCBDirect., the community information portal, has continued to service information requests from a variety of sources whilst promoting excellent initiatives in the community. MCBDirect’s website (www.mcb.org.uk/mcbdirect) reviews include the recent exhibition in London by Ali Omer Ermes, ISB’s Virtual Classroom, Gai Eaton’s “Islam and the Destiny of Man”, the innovative “Cube of Cubes”; an interview with Sami Yusuf, SHAMM and Visual Dhikr; along with reportage on the International Symposium on Cultural Diversity and Iftar in a London state school. Articles have also been posted on
the essence of Eid, faith schools, the importance of Tajweed and “honour” killings. MCBDirect’s telephone and email helpdesks (0845 1 23 23 63; [email protected]) have serviced research enquires from journalists, civil servants, researchers, academics, students and educationalists. To date, we have dealt with enquires from the BBC, Channel 4, The Observer, The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Economist, Department for Health, Department for Education and Skills, City University and the University of Glasgow, to name but a few. Upcoming on the website is an interview with Charles Clark, Secretary of State for Education and Skills; reviews of “Why do Muslims Hate America”, YM/ISB's Nasheed Extravaganza and profiles of Ebrahim Community College and the Muslim Youth Helpline. Articles Professor Aziz Sheikh published an article in the 13 October issue of Pulse with Professor A R Gatrad on 'Treating Muslim Patients' which outlines practical issues that may be important in dealing with Muslim patients such as taking into account birth customs, fasting, appropriate medication, contraception and health promotion on issues such as smoking, alcohol and drug related issues. The article notes that “Equipped with skills of patient-centredness, empathy and a basic understanding of the dynamic interface between faith and health, it is possible to work with and engage minority communities in the task of delivering care that is both culturally competent and sensitive.” Professor Aziz Sheikh has also recently published an article in GP on the subject of Muslim health. Islam Awareness Week Shadi Bashir and Shargil Ahmad represented ReDoc and MCBDirect at the launch of Islam Awareness Week in early November. A copy of their review of the event can be found online atwww.mcb.org.uk/mcbdirect. Foreign Office Open Day Shabana Khan headed a team representing the MCB at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual Open Day.
Education Training & Employment Committee (ETEC) ETEC Meeting On 2 November 2003 the MCB ETEC held a meeting at the Islamic Cultural Centre, London in order to
select new committee members. Mr Tahir Alam was elected as the chairman of ETEC. Dr. Abdul-Hayee Murshad was elected as the Vice-Chair. The election of the position of Secretary was deferred until the next meeting which is set for Sunday 4 January. The Education, Training & Employment committee can be contacted at [email protected]
Youth Committee (YC) YC Meeting The MCB Youth Committee met on 23 October at the East London Mosque. Among items discussed was the election of the new chair of the MCB Youth Committee, Abul Khayar Ali, a prominent youth leader in Tower Hamlets.
Social Affairs Committee (SAC) "Honour" Killings interview Shiban Akbar, Chair of the Social Affairs Committee, was interviewed on the subject of "Honour" Killings by BBC London on 7 October 2003, stating “No one deserves to be killed and killed in this manner.. This is murder. The father has committed a heinous crime.” She went on to clarify the issue of sexual morality in Islam “Pre-marital or extra-marital sex is prohibited in Islam. If parents feel their family honour is at stake then they should ensure that proper moral guidance is given to children before it’s too late. Parents need to talk to their children and maintain a relaxed environment at home so that children can talk to them on anything. If children or young people behave in a manner that is immoral and un-Islamic, then I would say it is the failure on the part of the parents not to have effectively communicated that message. For their own personal failings they can’t take it out on their children.” Ms Akbar pointed out the need for a concerted action plan to be implemented at grassroot level in order to raise awareness of this problem and educate parents and children alike. International Colloquium Shiban Akbar attended the opening ceremony of a 4 day International Colloquium on "Word of God, Art of Man: The Qur'an and its Creative Expressions" on Sunday 19th Oct at the Ismaili Centre, London. The session was addressed by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Professor Emeritus Oleg Grabar from Princeton, Professor Yasser Tabbaa from Michigan, Professor Francois Deroche from Paris and Dr Heather Ecker from Washington D.C. They spoke on The Qur'an as a Source of Artistic Inspiration; Early Qur'anic Ornament and Scribes and Reciters: Decoding Praxis in Early Qur'anic Manuscripts. In conjunction with the colloquium, The Institute of Ismaili Studies held an exhibition at the Centre with a selection of Qur’anic and related materials. The Colloquium was attended by scholars and academics in the field from all over the world. Ramadan Article Shiban Akbar’s article focussing on good practice during Ramadan in Her Majesty’s Prison service for Muslim prisoners entitled 'Ramadan Kareem' has been published in "Initiative" Autumn 2003 magazine by the United Religions UK. A concise version of the article with the title "Ramadan Inside" was also published in the Independent Monitor, The Journal of the Association of Members of Board of Visitors, Oct 2003, Issue 81. Al-Jazeera Interview Prof Abdul Haleem, member of the Social Affairs Committee, was interviewed on Al-Jazeera on 14 November 200. He answered questions on Democracy, Bush and the current political climate.
Health & Medical Committee (HMC) Joint seminar with Islamic Cultural Centre On Saturday 15 November 2003 the Food Standards Agency in collaboration with the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC), London and the MCB organised a seminar on the theme 'Food, Halal & Culture'. Speakers included Dr Ahmad Al-Dubayan, ICC Director General, Dr Yunus Teinaz, Senior Environment Health Officer, London Borough of Haringey and Health Advisor to the ICC, and Drs Shuja Shafi and Majid Katme of the MCB's Health and Medical Committee.
Seminar on Stunning On 28 September Dr Shuja Shafi and Dr A Majid Katme gave talks on the issue of Halal meat and stunning at a conference on Halal meat in Peterborough. BBC Radio Interview Dr A Majid Katme, member of the MCB Health & Medical Committee, took part in a debate on Friday 10 October on BBC Radio London with the Director of VIVA! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals)who are staunchly against religious slaughter without stunning, Foodaware Meeting On Thursday 30 October Dr Katme attended a meeting held by Foodaware, the Consumers Food Group at the European Parliament Office on behalf of the Muslim Council of Britain. Keith Miller of the Food Standards Agency spoke on the issue of animal feeding. Dr Katme provided an Islamic perspective on issues such as natural diet, animal husbandry and labelling. This was followed by a speech by Paul Marshall of the Department of Health who discussed updating the Food and Health Action Plan. Dr Katme raised issues of Muslim diet and health problem and the need for regular consultation between the Muslim community and the Department of Health. Letter to MPs On 19 November 2003, Dr Shuja Shafi, Chair of the MCB Health & Medical Committee and Dr Al-Dubayan, Director of The Islamic Cultural Centre, London sent a letter to key MPs at DEFRA and the Department of Health to clarify the position held by Muslims on the issue of the ritual slaughter of animals (Halal) with a briefing note on Islam’s concerns with animal welfare and objections to pre-slaughter stunning. The letter outlined dietary laws as a key part of the holistic way of life proscribed in Islam as part of the broader Islamic religious code of conduct. The letter urges MPs to meet both religious needs and the best modern animal welfare standards. A copy of the letter can be found online at www.mcb.org.uk
New on the MCB Website
Media/Press Releases - 29 Nov 2003, Nothing Less Than Full Public Apology From
MacShane
Will Be Acceptable
29 Nov 2003, Government Officials Urged To Refrain From Prejudicing
Any Future Sajid Badat Trial
22 Nov 2003, UK Muslims Reject MacShane's Ill-Informed And
Insulting
Comments
21 Nov 2003, MCB Condemns Bombings in Istanbul
15 Nov 2003, Police Harassment of Leading British Muslim Scholar
Media/Letters to the Editor - 25 November 2003 , The Daily Telegraph, Response to
Barbara
Amiel by Inayat Bunglawala
25 November 2003 , Daily Mail , Response to Melanie Phillips by
Inayat Bunglawala
23 October 2003, The Guardian , Minority faiths in south of
Sudan
Media/Speeches - 3 Nov 2003, Islam Awareness Week launch speech by MCB Secretary